Control device for automatic machines



- v w. FERRIER.

CONTROL DEVlCE FOR AUTOMATIQ MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 11, 1919. Patented July 26, 1921.

2 sHEEIssHEET 1'.

P? v I MQKQWAWJMQA W 2 SHEETSSHEET 2- Patented July 26, 1921.

R T Q 11.1 4 W 9 fhn L w\. y/ T T i W W M W. FERRIER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT 11. 1919.

CONTROL DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC MACHINES.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER FERRIER, 0F ELYRIA, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE ELYRIA IRON AND STEELCOMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

CONTROL DEVICE. FOR AUTOMATIC MAGHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 26, 1921.

Application filed October 11, 1919. Serial No. 330,113.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER FERRIER, a citizen of the United 'States,residing at Elyria, in the county of Lorain and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements inControl Devices forAutomatic Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to control devices for automatic machines such asmachines for cutting metal bars, strips, rods and other metal stock togiven lengths. For instance, my invention may well be embodied in amachine for straightening strip steel stock and cutting itintopredeterminable, selected lengths, and I have so illustrated it in thedrawings hereof.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a construction wherebythe shearing of the metal stock may be accomplished with the greatestaccuracy to insure that all cut sections will be of length fallingwithin very small limits of tolerance; substantial or practically-exactuniformity of length being easily attainable by the use of my invention.A further object is to provide con trol devices that, in all-parts, areof simple, economical and rugged form and construction, insuring lowcost, and constancy and uniformity of efficient performance with minimumcare.

To these ends, and for other advantages which will become apparent fromthe following description, my invention consists in the features ofconstruction and combinations of parts touching the automatic controland the association thereof with the machinery as hereinafter set forthand claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of the machine embodying myinvention; with parts broken away;Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic' view showingsome parts in plan and other in elevation, and illustrative particularlyof the control e uipment; Fig. 3 shows a clutch-detail and 'ig. 4 showsa switch detail.

In the particular machine shown the stock A, such as steel strip,initially coiled, is to be fed, as by rolls 10, through thestraighten'ing rolls 10, past the shears or cutting instrumcntality 11,onto the dump-table 12 and the shears 11 are to be operated when anaccurately-prescribed length of the stock has been passed between them.Av motor,

power, preferably a second motor 16,-constantly running when the machineis in 0p eration,--a cam shaft 17 may be driven, on occasion, throughthe intermediary of a positive clutch. This cam shaft carries theeccentric 18 or other suitable means by which the shears 11 areoperated, and also a face cam 19 by which, through the linkageconnection generally indicated at 20 the laterally tiltable table 12 maybe caused to dump against the resistance of a counterweight 21 thatholds it normally in horizontal position.

Specifically, motor 13 has a pinion 23 meshing with alarge gear 24 thatis axially and rotatively loose on a shaft 25, this gear having afriction-clutch rim 26. A. coiled spring 27 interposed between the gearand the shaft-bearing 28 tends to maintain the gear in clutch engagementwith a clutchcone 29 that is rigidly keyed as at 30 to the shaft 25 andis provided with a brake drum of engagement with the fast clutch element31, so disconnecting the motor from the main shaft 25. At the same time,through suitable linkage 36 the shifter lever 35 applies the brake 14,promptly to stop rotation of the shaft 25 and of the feedrolls 10 gearedthereto. The shaft25 has suitable connection through further reductiongearing with the gear train of the straighteningroll set 10 and the feedrolls 10.

Thus the machine has a power source, a clutch-controlled drive for feedrollers, a brake for the feed-parts and means simultaneously todisconnect the feed rolls from the power source and apply the brake.

Cam shaft motor 16 drives a reduction gear train 40 communicating motionto a constantly-rotating gear 41, the hub of which has one or more teeth(preferably four) in the form, of cii'c'umferentially spacedlaterally-extending pins 43. This gear 41 is loose on the camshaft, andsaid shaft carries a clutch bar 45 movable to connect or disconnect theshaft relative to the gear 41. This bar 45 is mounted to slide axiallyin a slot in theshaft and is pressed.

by spring 46 toward the clutch pins 43 so that, when freed fromrestraint, it will be spring-projected into the path of rotation of saidclutch pins 43 positively to connect the shaft to the constantlyrotating gear 41. The clutch bar 45, however, has a suitably beveledhead 47 projecting radially from the shaft-slot that may, in rotation,strike a latch arm 48 having a correspondingly beveled end, this. latcharm being pivoted as at 49 on the frame of the machine so that it may bemoved into and out of head-engaging position. Under the influence of aweighted lever 50 the latch arm is normally positioned so that it holdsthe clutch bar retracted,'but when the free end of lever is raised,latch 48 is thrown out of the path of, and out of engagement with, thehead of clutch bar 45, allowing the latter to be projected into the pathof movement of pins 43 as aforesaid. The ear 41 then rotates the camshaft, but if, prior to the completion of the cycle of rotation of thecam shaft,

a latch arm 48 is allowed to be weight-returned to normal position, itsbeveled end intercepts'the head of theclutch bar so that the latter isretracted and the cam shaft brought to rest after its single rotation.

. Thus, the cutting instrumentalities and cupstrip dumping-table areactuated from a cam shaft clutch -connectible with a constantly drivenmember, such as gear 41. I do not claim any novelty in any part of themachine thus far specifically described;.

I tolerable accuracy, the cam shaft may be picked up by the runningwheel 41 anywhere within a quadrant turn, of that wheel,''c'. 6.,anywhere within the angular separation of the pins on the wheel hub,

' and since the feed continued during this indeterminate interval,length variations of 35 serious consequence in the strips cut off wereinevitable. vention I obviate this inaccuracy of striplength.

The controlling mechanism of my invention as applied to such a machinecomprises means, preferably electrical and herein illus trated as asolenoid 51, horizontally mounted on the frame, and having its coredirectly acting on the shifter lever 35 to control the clutch and brake;means herein illustrated as solenoid 52, vertically mounted on the frameand having its core connected for directly acting on thecam-shaft-clutch controlling-lever 50; and means, herein illustrated asan electric switch 53 and appurtenant appliances, operatively associatedwith the dump-table to be controlled by the length of the stockdelivered past the shears, and controlling the energization of both saidsolenoids 51 and 52. Thus, solenoid 51which, when energized, directlythrows the shifter lever 35 to unclutch the mainshaft from itsdriving-means and apply the feed-roll-stopping brake-and solenoid 52-which, when energized, directly lifts the cam-shaft clutch-controllinglever 50 to throw the latch arm 48 out, of engagement with the clutchbar 45, permitting the latter to clutch the normally idle cam shaft ofthe constantly driven wheel 41, are arranged in parallel branches of apower circuit 54, suitably energized, and controlled from the switch 53.Preferably I provide a relay 56, the armature of which is normallyretracted to open the power circuit and the coil of which is includedwith the switch 53 in a suitable branch circuit. Switch 53, functioningwhen closed to complete the circuit for the relay magnet, ma be asingle-pole single-throw spring switc with an operating arm extendinginto the path of movement of the metal stock so that the stock willstrike against and close the switch, which will be reopened by itsspring, as soon as the dump-table is dropped and dislodges the cutstrip. To permit the strip length to be varied the switch 53 has itsbase-plate 57 adjustably mounted on a fixed rail 58 above the table, andsecured as by set screws 59. The operating arm 60 preferably has at itslower. end a slide-plate 61 of fiber or other insulation that rides onthe table as thearm is swept through its operative are, this platehaving a slot 62 to receive guidestud 63. This construction assures thatthe switch may be actuated accurately and without failure, whether thestock be thick or thin, wide or narrow.

In the operation of the machine the steel strip, fed forwardly by therollers 10, travels between the shears and along the tiltable table 12until its forward end, making contact with the switch arm, moves thelatter to close the switch 53. Instantly relay 56 closes the maincircuit, energizing both By the application of, my in solenoids 51 and52 so that at the same to throw out the latch 48 ment solenoid 51 throwsshifter lever 35 to unclutch the main motor 13 from driving relationwith the-rolls 10, 10', and apply the brake instantl to stop said rolls,while solenoid 52 wor s through lever which theretofore has beenmaintaining the cam shaft unclutched'from the constantly rotating wheel41. Of course, the positive clutch pin or pins 43 of the said wheel maynot at that moment be in position to pick up the clutch bar 45 of thecam shaft, and an appreciable time may elapse before the shear operatesto sever the strip, but owing to the stoppage of the feed mechanismindependently, through its solenoid 51, this does not result in anyerror in the length of material out. Of course, assoon-as the shearshave completed the cutting of'the material the positive action of thecam 19 on shaft 17 causes the table 12 to dump the severed strip,thereby releasing switch 53 which springs back to normal or openposition, perm tting the armature of rela 56 to be spring retracted,deenergizingf bot solenoids, so that the shipper lever 35 for the mainclutch is spring-thrown to normal position as-the'clutch ear wheel 24is, forced axially alon its lshai byspring 27, and lever 50 for t e camshaft'clutch is throwing the latch arm 48 sition again, Where, as theclutch bar 45 completes the rotative excursion in which it is thenengaged, said latch intercepts the clutch bar, camming it back tounclutched ,position and stopping the rotation of the cam shaft innormal station. The tilting table meanwhile is weight-returned to normal position and the machine is ready for a second c cle of operation.

While l have herein described in some detail a particular embodiment ofmy invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatchanges in the details of construction and arrangement might be madewithout departure from the spirit of my invention within the scope ofthe appended claims.

weight-depressed,

into elevated poc,

t I claim! I 1 In a machine of the character described, the combinationof stock feeding clutch for the cam shaft mechanism out of operation andmovable to perinit the clutch to act, an electro-magnet for operatingsaid detent mechanism and an electric switch in the path of the saidstock having connections with both said magnets simultaneously toenergize the same, whereby said magnets positively and independentlycontrol the respective mechanisms aforesaid.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination of feedmechanism, a constantly rotatable driving member, a clutchfor'connecting said driving member and feed mechanism, a brake forstopping the feed mechanism, a 'lever for disconnecting said clutch andapplying said brake, an electro-magnet connected with said lever toimpart braking operation to the latter, a cam shaft, a, constantlyrotatable member for driving said cam shaft, clutch means for connectingsaid member and cam shaft, a detent for maintaining said clutch membernormally inactive and movable to condition said clutch to act, anelectro-magnet for moving said detent, directly connected thereto, shearmechanism and a cut-box dumping table both actuated by the cam shaft, aswitch associated with said dumping table in the path of movement of thefed stock, and circuit connection from said switch in parallel tothesaidtwo magnets, forsimultaneously energizing and deenergizing thesame.

. a -WALTER FERRIER. Attested b GEO. W. KLIPPEL, Gno. F. WHITE,

lnechanism, a clutch therefor, a lever di

